Lewisham and Greenwich healthcare experts are urging people to wake up to sleeping disorders as part of National Bed Month.

The campaign, backed by Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, aims to highlight the importance of a good night’s sleep which is strongly linked to mental and physical health.

Woolwich’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital has a dedicated sleep unit which has treated more than 2,000 patients with sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnoea which affects breathing.

Manager at Queen Elizabeth’s sleep unit Steve Sims, said: "When some people first see the equipment they are initially taken aback and worried that they have to use the sleep equipment every night.

"However once they start the treatment and begin to notice improvements throughout the day, they generally find the benefits outway the inconveniences.

For this reason the treatment is very successful and up to 80% of people continue long term."

People suffering from sleep disorders can be referred by their GP or other healthcare professionals.